SEPA Preseason Top 10 Public School Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2024-25 PIAA season set to tip off next week, now seems like a suitable time to present our Top 10 southeastern Pennsylvania public school teams for the start of this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Imhotep Charter:</strong> The defending 5A state champions graduated several key players including all-everything combo guard Ahmad Nowell (UConn), but they return enough firepower to hold down the top spot before the season tips-off. The returners are led by wing [player_tooltip player_id='1406792' first='Zaahir' last='Muhammad-Gray'] who holds several DI offers and is our No. 1 ranked 2026 prospect in the state. Running with “ZMG” will be a host of DI prospect including point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2450653' first='Ian' last='Smith'], wing [player_tooltip player_id='2047550' first='Carnell' last='Henderson'] and 2027 phenom [player_tooltip player_id='2407095' first='Zion' last='Green']. Athletic wing scorer [player_tooltip player_id='1888747' first='Latief' last='Lorenzano-White'] is another offensive threat opponents will have to respect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Coatesville:</strong> After watching this team closely at the recent “Haverford School Scrimmages” I am predicting they will win the Ches-Mont League going away and make a deep run in the state tournament. Their well-balanced lineup and ability to push the pace will present significant issues for opponents. In the backcourt returning starter [player_tooltip player_id='1379430' first='Amon' last='Fowlkes'] and transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1874234' first='Nasir' last='Williams'] form one of the top guard tandems in the region. Wing-shooter [player_tooltip player_id='2485359' first='Colton' last='Hiller'] is only a freshman, but he has quickly proven to be an automatic 3-point shooter. Small forward [player_tooltip player_id='1576717' first='Larry' last='Brown'] is a beast on the interior and can produce points in the open court. Combo-guard [player_tooltip player_id='2090410' first='Christopher' last='Allegra Jr.'] and hybrid-forward [player_tooltip player_id='2247328' first='Jonas' last='Chester'] will be major contributors too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Plymouth Whitemarsh: </strong>“P-Dub” graduated several key players from their 2023-24 squad, but they return all-everything shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1576723' first='Mani' last='Sajid'] and added scoring machine [player_tooltip player_id='2427190' first='Buddy' last='Denard'] via transfer. Sajid is an elite prospect who is pulling in offers from P4 programs. Combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='2206402' first='Terron' last='Davis'] and shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='2336667' first='Kyle' last='Gallagher'] will provide additional perimeter scoring punch. On the interior, 6'8” power forward [player_tooltip player_id='2400237' first='Michael' last='Pereira'] is a double double machine and a formidable rim protector. Pereira is headed for a breakout season in 2024-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Upper Dublin:</strong> Shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1269299' first='Ryan' last='Mulroy'] and point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1888851' first='Kobe' last='Bazemore'] from an outstanding backcourt. Both guards can score at all three levels. Mulroy is one of the top shot creators in SEPA. Bazemore can beat defenders going left or right with the dribble and finishes through contact. Stretch-4 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2047682' first='Idris' last='Rines'] (6'6”) is an extraordinarily difficult match-up for opponents. Rines' ability to deliver creative dimes out of the high post is impressive. Keep an eye on 2027 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='2633181' first='Justin' last='Ragsdale'] who could post a breakout season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Central York:</strong> First Team All-State guard Greg Guidinger is now playing college ball at Loyola (MD), but CY still returns a host of players from last year's 6A state championship team. Everything for Central York starts with their fast and elusive scoring point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1287319' first='Ben' last='Natal'] (multiple DI offers). In the backcourt with Natal will be talented combo guards [player_tooltip player_id='2047667' first='JoJo' last='Woodard'] (Penn College commit), [player_tooltip player_id='2336886' first='Brooklyn' last='Nace'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2247335' first='Ryan' last='Jackson']. 6'10” power forward [player_tooltip player_id='1271440' first='Ben' last='Rill'] will take care of business on the interior. Rill is the top two-way big man in the region. Look for two-way guard prospects [player_tooltip player_id='2456462' first='Ryan' last='Brown Jr']. and [player_tooltip player_id='2436083' first='Doug' last='Layer Jr']. to make contributions as well. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>6. West Philly</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>7. Central Dauphin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8. Reading</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9. Carver – Engineering &amp; Sciences </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10. Conestoga</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->